POLITICIANS should not forget rural businesses as they consider the lessons learnt from the foot-and-mouth crisis, a report said yesterday.

The study, by Newcastle University's Centre for Rural Economy urged the Government to provide extra help for businesses struggling to recover from the crisis.

It found that many small firms will take several years to recover from the effects of the disease crisis.

It recommends that the Government provides consistent and lasting financial and advisory support and that future rural development initiatives should be less focused on the farming industry.

Their calls were echoed by small business owners in the region.

Hugh Becker, who owns The Kings Head, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Dur-ham said he had lost 70 per cent in revenue between 2000 and 2001, and had been forced to lose ten staff.

He said the level of visitors had not risen so rural businesses and the economy were suffering, but concessions such as business rate relief, which was available duringthe crisis, had been revoked.

Roger Bedford, owner of the Upstairs Downstairs tea room and delicatessen in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, also said visitor numbers had not returned to normal.

Both men said the situation had to be looked at "very specifically" by the Government to ensure rural businesses receive the help they need.

Researchers behind the report surveyed 180 microbusinesses, which employ fewer than ten people and make up 92 per cent of firms in the region's rural areas.

They found that those in isolated areas such as Tynedale, the Wear Valley and Teesdale had suffered most.

Some firms affected by foot-and-mouth received some financial and advisory help, but still lost an average of £16,000 - or 17 per cent of their revenue.

By last November, eight per cent of affected firms had closed, either temporarily or permanently, and about 40 per cent were experiencing no signs of recovery.